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Monthly Archives: August 2011

This morning, I woke up motivated and focused. After 2 cups of delicious coffee and some social media shmoozing… I lost it! Thus, my laundry piles continue to grow. Instead of taking on this task, I focused on just about ANYTHING else. Luckily for me, I was able to find some great images on the web to perpetuate my distraction.

Friday I shared the new eyebrow trend, check it out here.
Now, let’s talk about the how-to of eyebrows. I would personally recommend going to a professional for the first shaping strategy. After that initial procedure you can manage it on your own; maybe visiting the specialist every couple months for an update and to maintain the shape.

PROFESSIONAL EYEBROW SERVICES

Waxing – This method can definitely get the job done.Pros: widely offered at almost every nail salon or beauty salon, cost is $10-$25 depending on where you goCons: pretty painful, high maintance re-growth, be aware whether or not your allergic to any scents or brands of wax

Threading – New, trendy way for hair removalPros: similar cost to waxing $10-$25, hair stays maintained for a longer period of timeCons: tediously painful, can cause skin irritation

There are other ways to go about this, as well. For example electrolysis or sugaring (hmmm…) If you are trying to get all gussied up for a big event, give yourself at least 2 days prior to the occasion in case you have a reaction to the treatment.

The rest is up to YOU! Here is a guide to a natural shaped brow:
Hold an eyeliner pencil up to your face creating these lines. The pencil will act as a point of reference. Go ahead and mark on your face if it’s easier for you to see what needs to be done. Just make sure you wash up before you go out in public.

You can see that each person will have their own style and possibly each brow could be slightly different. Before you begin plucking you should check for the following:

Your worst enemy here is overplucking. You might get into the swing of things, think to yourself “Whoa, this isn’t half bad” and before you know it you’re a hot mess. We’re dealing with “less is more” here, people. Don’t get too excited, stay focused on the stray hairs that are sprouting not the ones that are firmly in place. Now, if you do go a bit crazy, stay calm. Run out to the store and grab an eyebrow pencil to fill in the missing follicles until they grow back.

Mikey Rock and Chuck Inglish hail from the windy city that is Chicago. This rap, hip hop pair make up The Cool Kids, a clever and creative duo that keep me dancing and bobbing my head all day long. My favorite song off 2008s The Bake Sale is Bassment Party. I love when I can use song lyrics in everyday conversation, it makes me feel smart. Now, listen to this song and tell me that anytime you give someone directions, you won’t be inclined to say “make a right at the light, it’s the first house on the left”.

Jeremy and I had the privilege of seeing The Cool Kids perform last summer at the Dallas Observer Music Awards. It was ridiculously hot out but we danced, sang and got down. It’s definitely exciting to know every word to every song at a show!
*Jeremy, Mikey Rock and me at DOMA 2010

They just released a new album When Fish Ride Bicycles and I pleasantly approve. Send The Cool Kids a shout out in 140 characters or less on twitter, check out a live show or just stop by their site and sample some of their new sound.

In preparation for my upcoming nuptials, I am taking biotin (for my locks), partaking in daily arm work outs and most drastically growing out my eyebrows. I noticed a significant change in the eyebrow trend from thin to what some may call, bushy and I love it. You might say I’m obsessed and that would be okay.

I’m a pretty observant person. I study the things/people/colors around me. I often check out people’s eyebrows, it’s one of my many peculiarities. My arches have been sprouting since May, right after taking our engagement pics. I’m extremely self conscious of it and in order to ease the discomfort/embarassment, I’ll probably tell you I’m growing them out before you even notice. Leslie says I do this because I stare at everyone’s eyebrows and assume they do it but they don’t. No one can tell, it’s just me and my weird fixation.

Thankfully, I’m not the only one succombing to this life altering fashion. Check out the celebs these days, they’re all doing it.

Last week, workers were renovating the courtyard in front of my apartment. The flower beds were uprooted and prepped for AstroTurf, “thick and lush looking stuff” as the property manager put it. The underside of the 2nd level walkway was painted with potent, toxic paint that I could smell in my living room. I had to block this infecting odor from intruding my personal space… and this is how roses played such an important part of my life last week.
I went to Central Market with a strict, groceries only mindset. An hour later, after being lost in a myriad of expensive, organic deliciousness, I walked to the check-out area. The antique, comforting smell of the roses in the floral department overtook me. The prices were so enticing yet deceiving simultaneously. I lost all focus and had only one thought, my apartment reeks of paint! I set my buggie aside and walked right up to the gorgeous foliage. Garden roses and antique roses… my nose was in nasal heaven. If I had been a hound dog, I would be doing that point with the legs thing.
Naturally, and in accordance with any other obsession, I wound up taking home an abnormal number of breathtaking buds. My house was now filled with a welcoming aroma that karate chopped that offensive stench! It creates a sense of “fabulous” to have such lovely blooms sitting on my desk.

Go ahead and thank me now for introducing you to the sweet sounds of The Decemberists. This indie-folk-blue grass-rock band originates from Portland, OR.
Most loved for their sweet ballads, The Decemberists are also known for pop-y, sing-a-long tunes. Frontman Colin Meloy began his creative career as a writer and luckily for us, he switched from jotting down story lines to penning clever and illustrative song lyrics. My mom says they sound like R.E.M. and because I’m oh, so loyal to my own, I defended Colin and his crew for their originality. Well, come to find out, I should have trusted my mom. R.E.M. is one of Colin’s fave bands and strongest influences. Their newest album “The King is Dead” is all over public radio (D/FW- 91.7FM). Jeremy’s preference is “The Hazards of Love”, a beautifully written tragic, love story. I was lucky to see this performed in its entirety live at ACL in 2009, in the rain screaming/singing with my love. My personal preference and the song I wake up singing is The Crane Wife 3 from “The Crane’s Wife”. For all you Austin-ites, you have the chance to check them out tonight at Stubb’s BBQ.

I hate to be a tease but unfortunately, these guys are taking a sabbatical for an undetermined amount of time. As stated above, Colin started out as a writer and has found his way back to that craft. Of course, you can look forward to more genius-ness from Mr. Meloy. He has published a chronicle titled Wildwood, something new to look for.

After bowling with my mom, dad and fiance (I got a 47 in the last game) to celebrate my dad’s 54th birthday, we went back to the casa for a spectacular dessert! It’s not a birthday without birthday cake. So, in honor of the birthday boy, I made a german chocolate cake, his favorite… I thought. I did lots of research to find a “doctored” german chocolate cake recipe. I went with Barbara and she did not let me down. I aspire to make home made cakes especially for birthdays but I just don’t have the time, tools, ingredients or desire to totally make it from scratch. I started this whole “doctored” cakes thing a few years ago and it’s always worked in my favor. I find that I have more ownership of the cake when I add a few extra ingredients and a lot more love. Needless to say, the cake was a hit. Unfortunately, I found out german chocolate is not my dad’s favorite but I think he was pretty happy anyway!
Check out Barbara Bakes, she has plenty of delectable recipes to share.

Summertime means lots of wonderful things — cool drinks poolside, patios with friends, bronze-ish tan and best of all, leisure reading. I haven’t been in school or had required reading in literally years. But still, this is my favorite season to catch up and drift away. I peruse my local public library’s new release section on a regular basis to find inspiration. I love walking the aisles of a dusty discount book store filled with half-price adventures. This summer, I’ve enjoyed…

*Ask Me Why I Hurt – The Book About the Kids Nobody Wants and the Doctor Who Heals Them by Dr Randy Christensen*Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs*Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen I haven’t seen the movie yet, have you?*Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen I’m currently reading this one. It has taken several attempts but I am determined to finish it this time even if it takes all summer and even if I read other books simultaneously.

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books.
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I admit it, I’m nesting. I’m kinda over planning the wedding. I followed (stalked) several awesome blogs during the inspiration stages. Whenever I look at them now, I get totally re-inspired and want to change what I’ve already created. Therefore, I’ve forced myself to stop. Unfortunately, I need to fill this void with a new obsession. I’m moving on to decorating my new home with my new husband, aaah! Few glitches… don’t have said home as of yet, so not really a few glitches but more like one HUGE glitch which hasn’t stopped me from web browsing home goods.

Our first task… a king-size mattress! Not just any mattress but a non-toxic, eco friendly, uber crucnchy, granola mattress. I only want to catch ZZZZZs while I sleep not breaths full of synthetic materials and dangerous chemicals.

I know a mattress is an investment and worth plunging into savings for. I’m just not sure where to find it or who’s “seal of approval” I can trust.

Let’s start this week off with some tunes, Sufjan Stevens, from Detroit. The song “Chicago”, off the Illinoise album, always pops up on my Pandora stations. After tapping my toes to a few of his songs, I felt the need to spread the word. Take some time to listen to the song below.